Battle of Sorauren

Historical background

In July 1813 Wellington had forced the French to withdraw from Spain. He held the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, Marshal Soult the French side. On 25 July Soult attacked and forced Wellington to abandon Maya and Roncesvalles and retreat to the village of Sorauren, which is a few miles north of Pamplona. Wellington determined to halt the French advance at Sorauren, and ordered his scattered divisions to concentrate there.

Map of battle

Historical Orbat

Wellington
British - 30,000
Portuguese - 30,000
Spanish - 20,000

Soult

French - 72,000

Wargame Orbat

Wellington - Gifted - 96 Infantry, 12 cavalry, 3 guns

Soult - Gifted - 96 infantry, 12 cavalry, 3 guns

British commanders

Cole - Average - 32 infantry, 4 cavalry, 1 gun

Hill - Average - 32 infantry, 4 cavalry, 1 gun

Morillo - Poor - 32 infantry, 4 cavalry, 1 gun

French commanders

Reille - Average - 32 infantry, 4 cavalry, 1 gun

D’Erlon - Poor - 32 infantry, 4 cavalry, 1 gun

Clausel - Average - 32 infantry, 4 cavalry, 1 gun

Table at start of battle

Cole’s Ridge in the centre of the table

Sorauren to the left of the ridge

Move 1 - Reille and Clausel arrive top right road from Roncesvalles

Move 1 - D’Erlon arrive top left road from Maya

Move 1 - Cole in position at start of battle

Move 3 – Wellington and Hill arrives left centre road from San Sebastian

Move 3 - Morillo arrives bottom right road from Pamplona

Sorauren and Cole’s ridge

Rules

This battle is based on Sorauren, it is not meant to be a refight of it.

We use our own rules to fight all of these battles.

Link to wargame rules

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/